Jason McCarthy reflects on yesterday's defeat at Bolton

The full back spoke of yesterday's hosts as being 'better in both boxes' when on post-match press duty at the Macron.

Reds defender Jason McCarthy has stated that Bolton Wanderers came out on top in Saturday afternoon’s clash because they were better in both penalty areas.

Phil Parkinson’s Bolton side claimed a 3-1 win at the Macron Stadium after a brilliant second half goal from full-back Mark Little to seal the points, extending a run that has not seen Barnsley win away at the Trotters since 1994.

Gary Madine opened the scoring for Bolton after good work from Little, before Paul Heckingbottom’s men immediately replied through Tom Bradshaw’s penalty. Madine restored Bolton’s lead at the break with a spot-kick of their own, and Little wrapped the game up despite a host of Barnsley chances.

“In the second half alone, we had seven shots on target and they had one shot which went in, and that sums the afternoon up,” McCarthy said after the final whistle in Greater Manchester.

“They made use of both boxes better, defending and then taking their chances. Their goalkeeper was brilliant today, they defended their box better than us, and then we didn’t take the chances we created.

“I was very close to [the Bolton penalty incident] and it looked like Liam [Lindsay] didn’t touch their player, but it’s all just fine margins. We need to focus on the positives and move forward, and we need to cut out the errors.”

McCarthy was one of a multitude of summer signings for Hecky and he claimed that the team are on the right track to improve and are now settling into their system after becoming used to one another.

“We’ve been together three months now and everyone knows their roles, but it still takes time to build a team – three months is still a short time with a young side. When you look at Sheffield United for example, they’re doing well because they’ve kept the same team together.

“Of course, we don’t want to use it as an excuse, but we have come a long way since the start of the season, so we just need to nail down on the things to improve.

“This low point won’t have knocked anyone’s confidence. We have no doubt with the characters in this team that we’ll be back out and pushing for a win at Oakwell next week.”

The former Southampton full-back also expressed his joy to be in the starting XI again after his spell out of the team.

“I’m delighted to be back. Everyone who knows me knows that it was killing me to get back out there again, a shame it wasn’t three points but it’s great to be out on the pitch playing.

“I’ve worked on a few things with the gaffer in training and it’s good for me that I’ve had to bide my time and work for a place – it’s healthy for a team.

“It’s a big step up to Championship football and every game’s tough in this league, so the support from the fans so far has been brilliant and I’ll look to push on, stay in the team and focus on the positives with the boys.”

McCarthy and the Reds are now looking ahead to next Saturday’s match at Oakwell as they take on Derby County, 3pm kick-off back on home turf.